Last week Hebron marked the 138th anniversary of the passing of Menucha Rochel Slonim, a matriarch of the Jewish community and granddaughter of the first Lubavitcher Rebbe. The annual pilgrimage to her grave in the ancient cemetery of Hebron was followed by a siyyum attended by her descendants and other prominent members of the Chabad-Lubavitch community from around the country including Rabbi Danny Cohen, the head of the local branch of Chabad. He and his wife named their daughter Menucha Rochel, making her the first person from Hebron to bare that name in modern times. Other important Chabad leaders included Rabbi Moshe Zvi Halperin, Rabbi Moshe Gelbstein, and Rabbi Yosef Yitzhak Slonim, all descendants of the Alter Rebbe.
Menucha Rochel Slonim and her husband moved to Hebron in 1845 with the blessing of the Rebbe to be shluchim in Hebron. For over 40 years, they helped the Jewish community grow and thrive. People far and wide both Jews and Arabs sought the advice and blessing of Rebbetzin Menucha Rochel and miracles are attributed to her.
One tale tells how a flood that threatened to inundate the city, but stopped, just as the water almost reached the Rebbetzin’s Shabbat candles. Another legend tells how she healed the daughter of the Arab sheikh.
When the 1997 Hebron Accords were signed, the section of the cemetery where she is buried was almost excluded from Israeli jurisdiction. Because of her historical importance, the community successfully lobbied to save the cemetery. Today, a Hasidic kollel named in her memory is located near her resting place.
For further info read: Memories of Menucha Rachel Slonim, Mother of Hebron
For full biography see here:
